“The vampires for certain,” I said. “Do you agree?”
“As much as I hate to admit it, we have no one better. Save for me, of course.” She smirked, but in a playful way. My heart leapt.
“Of course,” I teased back. “Aside fromyou,who is the strongest among the rebels? I have my ideas, but you know them better.”
“I’m thinking we begin with six and grow from there, if we can. With that in mind, I’d like to offer Sigri, Halladora, and Tonna.” She pointed the fighters out as she spoke their names.
I grinned. We thought rather alike.
Sigri was a dwarf. I’d seen her sparring often and had deduced that her weapon of choice was a warhammer, though she appeared to be skilled with a bow and arrow too. Agile for her kind, the female was a fierce fighter. I’d witnessed her bringing males four times her size to their knees.
Halladora was faerie, like Thyra and me. She was tall for a female, almost as tall as Vale, and wielded a sword rivalingSkeldain length. A time or two, I’d caught Vale and Caelo eyeing the female as she sparred, nodding approvingly at her skill.
“About Tonna, is she?—”
Thyra cleared her throat. “Yes, part orc.”
“Right.” Tonna had the greenish-gray skin typical of orcs, as well as the large and muscular orcish build. However, Tonna also bore olive green wings, hinting of faerie blood. “That’s rare.”
“She doesn’t like to speak of it. A brute assaulted her mother, and Tonna is the result.” My twin’s face twisted with revulsion at the events of the past. “Tonna doesn’t identify as an orc, but rather as a faerie. She appreciates being treated as such.”
“Then she shall be,” I said. “I only wondered where she fell among the fae races because of how she looks. Not to question your judgment.”
“It’s natural. Our races are so often at odds. Should I call them over? The vampires too?”
“Please,” I said, and my twin beckoned the others over.
“My sister and I have been speaking,” Thyra began once all six female warriors grouped before us, questions in their eyes. “How many of you are familiar with the monarchies of Winter’s Realm long ago? Around the time of Sassa’s reign?”
The vampires raised their hands, as did Halladora.
“In your studies, have any of you come across writings on the Valkyrja?”
Halladora’s face split into a smile. “I used tolovereading them as a youngling. My mother claims one of our ancestors served Queen Sassa herself.”
“Did she?” Thyra looked impressed. “That would explain why you wield a sword as well as the Warrior Bear.”
Halladora’s cheeks took on a pink hue. “Thank you.”
Thyra nodded in reply. “My sister and I have been speaking about how we’d like to work together. Much is still to be discussed, but we both wish to implement Queen Sassa’s practice of having a Valkyrja regiment. The first of its kind in many centuries. We’d like you six to be the first members.”
Tonna cleared her throat and when she opened her mouth to speak, fangs glinted inside. “How does this differ from being in the army or Nava?”
Thyra cut me a glance, and I picked up where she left off.
“It’s a historic group made of all females who fight in battle for the queen or king—though many kings didn’t implement the practice of anointing new Valkyrja. Under a string of male reigns, the elite group of warriors died out and, eventually, ceased to exist. Little has been written of them since the time of Sassa’s reign. So while we don’t know much about them, we’ll honor some practices of the past, like keeping this an all-female group. Besides that, we would be writing our own rules.” I smirked and looked at my twin. “Something that us Falk ladies seem all too inclined to do anyhow, wouldn’t you say?”
A few more questions lobbed our way. Thyra and I didour best to answer them. In the end, two of the vampires agreed.
Livia held back, and curious, I asked her if she had other questions or issues with such a group.
“It’s not that. I rather like the idea,” she said. “But I’d hoped to open a book and tea shop after the war is over, and my sisters and I have fulfilled our promises to you two.”
Freyia and Astrid didn’t appear surprised, so I assumed that such an occupation would suit Livia. In no way did I wish to squash a dream. Particularly when so many people stole options and dreams from Livia throughout her life.
“I understand. You’re under no obligation to join.”
“Thank you, Princess Neve.”
